Let's Get Small

The tiny home movement has been slowly growing since 1999 with the creation of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company in Sonoma, California. It was founded by Jay Shafer while Steve Weissman is currently guiding innovations in the movement. Simplicity, affordability and an environment friendly lifestyle are part of the appeal of this architectural and social movement but so is the freedom to easily relocate to another area. In recent years, the tiny home movement encompasses not just tiny houses but refurbished RVs and trailers. A great way to experience this phenomena is to plan a summer vacation in one, whether it be a tiny home like this Elm model at Austin’s Original Tiny Home Hotel in Texas, a vintage trailer park or a DIY van.

Catskill Escape

If you live in New York City and want to step away from the hustle and bustle you can find solace in a rustic setting only two hours away in South Cairo, New York at Think BIG!, a tiny house resort. Situated on 28 acres and perched on a cliff overlooking the Catskill Creek, you can choose from several tiny house rental options like this Mizu model which comes with an upper level queen bedroom, living room and dining area, full bath and other features.

Santa Barbara Luxury

You don’t have to buy an Airstream to experience the ultimate in RV luxury. You can book one for a vacation getaway at Autocamp’s Santa Barbara, California location. Only three miles from the beach, your Airstream accommodation comes with a full bed, bath and kitchen including an electric BBQ for the patio plus beach cruisers, flat-screen television and more.

Summer Bliss in Wyoming

At Fireside Resort in Wilson, Wyoming you can choose between three types of cabin rentals but one of the coziest is the Wedge Cabin which accommodates four guests and offers a king-size bed, a queen-size pullout leather sleeping sofa and amenities like a fireplace, flat-screen TV, full kitchen and other features.

Relax in the Oregon Wilderness

Near Portland, you can immerse yourself in nature and the beauty of Mt. Hood at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, where vacation rentals include petite accommodations such as Tumbleweed’s Zoe model which sleeps three and has a full bathroom and kitchen.

Experience Rice Lake

At Canoe Bay ESCAPE Village in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, the Midwest’s largest tiny house resort, travelers can rent or purchase one of several models like the ESCAPE Traveler XL, located on over one hundred acres of hardwood forests with wetlands and two private lakes. The model includes LED lighting, a queen bedroom on the first floor and upper sleeping lofts, a full size kitchen and more.

Glamping by the Russian River

Located just 90 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma’s Wine Country, you can chill out in either a vintage Airstream or a luxury tent (pictured) at Autocamp’s Russian River location outside Guerneville. The modern canvas luxury tents come with Casper mattresses, organic throw blankets, Coleman coolers, fire pit and grill plus close access to spa-inspired bathrooms and warm showers in the clubhouse.

Solar Power Wonder

Escape the city pace and enjoy bucolic country living at this Off-Grid ESCAPE Vista (aka "The Glass House"), a solar-poweredd retreat that sits on 30 acres of rolling hills in the Hudson Valley near Marlboro, New York. Featuring a queen-sized bed, modern stainless steel kitchen, dining/lounging area and a full bath, the Glass House also comes with an outdoor dining area and fire pit.

New Hampshire Hideaway

Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire offers travelers a variety of tiny house rentals for enjoying the area’s many attractions such as vineyards, wineries, beaches and apple orchards. For a family of 5 or 6, the Emerson is an ideal accommodation which features a full bath and kitchen, a loft with queen bed and double bed, heat and A/C and other features.

Sprinter Van Life

If the idea of renting a tiny vacation home, vintage RV or luxury tent is too limiting for those who love to roam, you could always consider transforming your van into a portable tiny home like Kristen Bor, founder of Bearfoot Theory, who turned her 4X4 Mercedes Sprinter Van into the ultimate wanderlust vehicle. You can check out the details here.